A Literary Spirit

[Islamic Children’s Book] Ayat Jamilah: Beautiful Signs

Ayat Jamilah: Beautiful Signs BySarah Conover and Freda Crane and Illustrated by Valerie WahlFinding nicely translated Islamic children’s stories can be extremely difficult. At our local library, Islamic books tend to focus on explaining Muslim holidays rather than passing on parables that have been handed down through generations. Ayat Jamilah resolves these challenges: it is a compendium of short parables that provide guidance on how to treat one’s family, take care of one’s body, pray, serve others, etc.Written in a voice that is both contemporary and western, I could see any parent using some of the stories in the book to start a conversation about morality. For me, the stories resonated more deeply than the Islamic sayings peppered throughout the book.The illustrations were drawn in a style best described as biblical—they feel historical, far-away and magical. I would have preferred more contemporary illustrations—to give this book a more modern feel. But the stories—nearly fifty in total—are worth buying this book.

Recommended for: This book is a wonderful gift for Muslim parents and families who want a treasury of stories to share with their children and grandchildren.

Another blog to enjoy!!!Thank you for visiting A Literary Spirit. This blog is no longer being updated. Please enjoy the archives. Here is another blog you may also enjoy:
Inspiration Report
Happy Reading!!! ...

Children's Book Week: Samsara DogSamsara Dog
Author: Manos, Helen
Illustrator: Vivas, Julie
Samsara Dog lived many lives.
Some of his lives were long.
Some lasted only a few days.
Dog never remembered them.
He lived each life as it came,
until he learned the ...

Children's Book Week: Wilfred Gorden McDonald PatridgeWilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
Author: Fox, Mem
Illustrator: Vivas, Julie
Mem Fox is one of the most prolific children's authors in contemporary times. Her classic Time for Bed and Where is the Green Sheep? have delighted millions of ...

John Welwood Week: Spotlight on Conscious RelationshipWhat follow is a transcript of an interview between Vince Horn (of Buddhist Geeks) and John Wellwood. I thought this interview would provide plenty of fodder for reflection on the role of conscious relationship in our spiritual practice. And ...

John Welwood Week: Ordinary Magic Book ReviewThere are few essay collections which I find eternally useful...so useful that they never seem to leave my bedside table for a more (lonely) and permanent space on my living room bookshelf. But John Welwood edited one such collection called ...